Shocks and wheels the only real diff.
Could be other factors also...like the driver...maybe...weather?

2 Seconds is a lot though.

 

I'm pretty sure that 8 which tested 2.3 seconds slower was also a Series I (2006): http://www.caranddriver.com/features...to_2011_page_8

And if I'm not mistaken, the Series II upgrades add up, and plus it helps being approximately 90 lbs lighter...

 

My 07 8 has teh stock pads, and the dust comes off in pieces of black burned up glue that washes off pretty easy; not that horid red dust seen on many wheels.

I use the brakes hard on a technical track with short straights; 90mph-40 mph over and over for 20 minutes and no fade either.

I've encountered several Mustangs while tracking, and the 8 can hold its own on a curvy track even against the new Shelby Mustangs.

 

^+1
Sometimes the best car doesn't win.

 

Just got the mag and finished reading the LL story. Lot's of numbers and most depressing. Excuse me In every sector of VIR it barely maintains worst time among the assorted entrants..we're talking Hyundai and Subie only here pretty much. Then it hangs a dead last overall lap time, and only besting the worst average speed of the speed limited Mustang V6 (and by only 3mph) FCOL. Maybe a paddle woulda helped lol. Even with decent handling (but then only .85G cornering - wth?), and the myriad deficits of the other close competing cars, it was beaten into last overall w/a losing combination of lack of corner exit acceleration and straight line gutlessness. But I guess I knew that.

How the (perceived) mighty have fallen since 2003. It deserves to be euthanized.

 

Yes, it can become a bit depressing when one focuses on the stat sheet.

Hopefully Mazda will pick up its game with the next RX. And for the time being, we'll have to enjoy the 8 for the shining points it still comes with.

 

I believe one of the engineers said that they also made many small changes to make the structure a bit tighter than the previous one. (in that rotary mag that I paid for a full year and only ever got one of :P )

But obviously the driver would be the biggest variable here.

I'm also doubting there will be a much more powerful rotary car coming. Face it guys, outside of America it's a whole other world. Unless they can create a car that has 150g CO2 per km and outputs 300 HP I don't see it coming. We all hope for something that could at least hold the 370Z in speed though.

 

Read the write-up online and just saw the video. I think it is flattering that they selected the R3 even though it's basically the same car since 2004. Guess the minor tire and suspension upgrades add up so 2.3 seconds improvement. What 7 year old sports car still gets invited to the dance - must be a fun car even in her twilight.

 

Gawd, does Subaru hate the STi so much that they have started to copy the Kia Rio?!